It will ask you when you start a new character if you would like to import an ME1 character. You then select the storage location of that character (removable storage, HDD, etc) and select which character you would like to import.
No, you have to complete the whole main story mode and depending on what level your at you'll start off with some xp in mass effec 2
If you played Mass Effect 1 the second game imports your old game save, so it would depend on how you played Mass Effect 1 as to whether or not Kaiden is alive. If you did not play Mass Effect 1, then the game will default to the character with the opposite gender to Shepard. So Ashley will be there with a male Shepard, Kaiden for a female one. Below is a link which has the important decisions you make in 1 and their effect in the sequel.
If he died in Mass Effect 1 then he is not in Mass Effect 2. If he survived Mass Effect 1 he shows up in Mass Effect 2 but he can not be killed.
All Mass Effect games work from each others save game files, although you can only import a saved ME character or game to ME2 and then import a saved ME2 character or game to ME3. The same would most likely apply to future ME games.
yes
No, Mass Effect 2 has a completely different weapon system.
Yes. Mass Effect is a good game series and you should start playing the Mass effect 1 on PS 3.
Yes.
Yes. Mass effect one is available on the play station three.
No. Mass Effect 1 on ps3 is not a BLX set just by itself.
Shepherd is killed during Mass Effect 2's intro. He is literally remade from the ground up, meaning his skills are reset, and things like his class and even his gender can be changed from how they were in Mass effect 1.
Sure, as long as you don't import your previous file